Even telework has its limits

Under all the good telework is expected to bring to government, there are some limitations built into the new law.

You’ve likely heard by now. The Telework Enhancement Act is set to be a law. It passed the House last week by a vote of 254 to 152.

What you might not have heard so much about are some of the limitations the act places on telework.

Aside from the obvious jobs like air traffic controllers, most law enforcement and even custodial workers that can’t be done at home, there are a few other conditions to teleworking.

First of all, employees have to attend training before being considered to be eligible.

Employees who have been officially disciplined for having five or more unexcused absences a year are blocked from participating in the program.

And then there’s the very little discussed porn provision: if an employee has been officially disciplined for “viewing, downloading, or exchanging pornography, including child pornography, on a Federal Government computer or while performing official Federal Government duties,” there’s no telework for them.

Ever.

It’s good to know there are limits.

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    Eric White/Federal News NetworkDavid Berteau

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